Ridiculous Blessings | Herbert Coooper

Matthew 14:13-14 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. (NIV) Matthew 9:36   When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (NLT) Matthew 20:34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (NIV) Mark 6:34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. (NIV) Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. (NLT) John 11:33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. (NIV) 1. Give your attention to God’s priorities Colossians 3:2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (NLT) Philippians 3:19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. (NLT) Matthew 16:23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (NIV) 2. Give your life to God’s priorities Matthew 14:15–16 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16  But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” (NLT) Matthew 14:17   “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. (NLT) 3. Give your resources to God’s priorities Matthew 14:17-18 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. 18  “Bring them here,” he said. (NLT) 1. When you give your resources to God first, He blesses them Matthew 14:19   Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. (NLT) Malachi 3:10-11 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.  11  I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.  (NIV) 2. God takes what you give Him first and blesses you in return Matthew 14:19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. (NLT) Malachi 3:10-12 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.  11  I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.  12  “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. (NIV) Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10  then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (NIV) 3. When you give away what God gives to you, God multiplies it Matthew 14:19 -21 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20  They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21  About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children! (NLT) 2 Corinthians 9:10–11 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11  You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (NIV) 2 Corinthians 9:6   Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (NIV) Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (NIV) Proverbs 11:24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (NIV)